(We require a 20% down payment to hold any given apartment for the dates requested).

What’s included in the rental rate and fees?

Payment of rental and fees associated with the rental include full use of all on-site amenities and services, including (but not limited to): water, phone (limited to local calls), gas, electricity, internet (wifi and wired), TV (including cable services), use of pool, gym and other building amenities (where applicable), maid service (where applicable), and all taxes.

Please, no small print! Anything else I should know about?

Here’s what you need to know, there will be no additional fees, taxes or secret monies charged to you, in addition to what you’ll find below: 1) Rental of apartment: the cost will, of course, be determined by which apartment you rent from us, and for how long. 2) U$ 55: Administrative fee (covers all applicable taxes). 3) U$ 30: Clean-up fee. 4) U$ 50 maid service (where applicable). This fee is charged in some instances, but not all. It varies from unit to unit (we will inform you when we send you all the booking information if this fee is applicable to your rental or not).

How do I get from the airport to the apartment?

We offer airport pick-up, at a rate of U$ 50 (please note that the mentioned rate does not include the cost of a second car, if needed, for extra luggage and/or additional passengers). One of our English-speaking agents meets with you at the airport; he waits just outside of customs, holding up a sign with your name, ready to take you into town and to your apartment. During the ride into town, he will answer any questions you may have about Buenos Aires, your neighborhood… anything!

Is Buenos Aires a safe city?

The short answer is ‘yes’. Having said that, my personal advice is the following: like any large city, it’s important you know what areas are OK for you to stroll through, and which areas are ‘no-nos’. Naturally we stand ready to answer any and all questions should you want to be adventurous and walk or drive around lesser-known areas of town; chances are, however, that since you’ll be staying in the more popular areas – ie Recoleta, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Soho, San Telmo, etc. – you’ll be safe. We do advise people not to dress too ‘touristy’, as well as not to wear ostentatious jewelry, watches, etc., since those are always easy to spot by robbers. Remember: as in any major city, the tourist is always the easiest of targets.

Can I withdraw money from ATM’s?

Buenos Aires ATM’s are not generous in dispensing Pesos, and DO NOT dispense US Dollars. The most you can withdraw from a Buenos Aires ATM is AR$ 2000 to AR$ 4000 a day. If you can, bring U$ Dollars, cash, which will yield you a considerably better rate than whatever Pesos you can get from your US bank via the ATM.

How do I get around once I’m in town?

Quite a few options, actually:

Buses. Local Argentine buses, called colectivos, are notorious for charging down the street, gobbling up coins and spewing clouds of black smoke while traveling at breakneck speeds. Riding on one is a good way to see the city and get around, providing you can sort out the often complex bus systems. Buses are clearly numbered and usually carry a sign indicating their final destination. Many city buses operate on coins; you pay as you board, although now most of them have a pre-paid card which is personalized to each use, and may be hard to get if you’re a tourist here.

Trains. Despite major reductions in long-distance train service, rail lines continue to serve most of the Buenos Aires suburbs and some surrounding provinces. There are longer rail services between Buenos Aires and the towns of Posadas and Cordoba. During the holiday seasons like Christmas or national holidays, you should buy tickets in advance. Train fares tend to be lower than comparable bus fares, but trains are slower and there are fewer departure times and destinations. More information here: http://www.tbanet.com.ar/servicios/lineas.asp

Subway. Buenos Aires is the only Argentine city with a subway system (known as the subte), and it’s the quickest way of getting around the city center. More information here:http://www.subte.com.ar/mapas/subte.asp

Taxis. Within the city of Buenos Aires there are 32.000 taxis. The fare consists of an initial price plus an additional charge calculated according to time and distance travelled. Such fares must be paid at the end of the trip according to the quantity displayed in the clock placed on the right of the front windshield. The vehicles are painted as follows: yellow on the roof and black on the rest of the its body. You can hail a cab on any corner, or phone one in, these are called ‘radio taxis’, but both are equally safe to take.

Is tipping customary?

According to Argentine custom, a 10% of the amount spent is left as a tip in restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. You can go up to 15% if you’re feeling extra generous. You wouldn’t be expected to leave a tip if taking a taxi.

What time of the year is best for visiting Argentina?

It is important to bear in mind when packing your luggage that, in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those up north. In Argentina the months of highest temperatures are January and February (summer vacations with highs of 95 F); and the coldest month is July (winter vacations with lows of 42 F).

Wow, you guys are great! Do you offer any other services?

You know what’s better than room service? More options.

Our concierge services can make your trip even better:

– Unlock local mysteries

– Research the weather forecast in a new city

– Offer advice on local restaurants and make reservations

– Find stores that offer a product and help with pricing

– Book tickets to local shows, sights, museums or games

– Ensure stress-free travel

– Book rental cars or airport pickup

– Plan logistics

– Answer questions about foreign entry requirements

– Find the nearest ATM or help convert currency

– File police reports or replace lost or stolen credit cards

– Offer directions to the nearest embassy

– Help with medical needs / refill a prescription / find the nearest doctor or hospital

– Book car service to pick up or drop off at hospitals / find urgent care facilities in close proximity

Can I use American Dollars, or other foreign currency? Where can I exchange my money?

Although the Argentine Peso is the official currency, numerous shops accept US Dollars. It is convenient for visitors to exchange money in Banks (Mon – Fri 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.) or in official currency exchange houses. Be advised that if you go to change rate offices after banking hours, they will take advantage of this and give you a lower exchange rate, since they know you’ll have no choice but to avail yourself of their services. In most of the commercial centers, bars, restaurants, etc. credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

What else can you tell me about apartment sizes, amenities, and the such?

The average size of a Buenos Aires studio is 350 sq. ft. Most studios have a full size kitchen or a kitchenette and a full bathroom.

One-Bedroom Apartments. Average size of a Buenos Aires one-bedroom is 500 sq. ft. Most one-bedroom apartments have a full size kitchen and full size bathroom.

Two-Bedroom Apartments. Average size of a Buenos Aires two bedroom is 700 to 1,000 sq. ft. Most have 1.5 bathrooms, only newer modern two bedroom apartments have 2 full bathrooms. All two bedroom apartments have a full size kitchen.

Three-Bedroom Apartments. Average size of a Buenos Aires three-bedroom is 800 to 1,200 sq. ft. Three bedrooms are hard to find in the Buenos Aires vacation apartment rental market. But, most all three bedroom apartments have 2 full size bathrooms and a full size kitchen.

Floors. Argentina uses the European system for numbering floors. Ground floor is planta baja, or 0 (zero). The floor above planta baja is the first floor, or 1. Elevators use PB or 0 to designate the ground floor. The average apartment building in Recoleta or Palermo is about 8 to 10 stories. Some apartment buildings can have up to 30 or more stories, but they are not the norm, and tend to be more modern.

Elevators. Traditional French style buildings of Recoleta and older apartment buildings do not have automatic elevators, as they tend to have two sliding gates that have to be opened and closed manually. Failure to close both elevator doors after use will cause great inconvenience to your neighbors, because the elevator will not move until both doors are closed securely.All elevators have capacity limits, both passenger and weight, and must be followed. Newer, more modern buildings have automatic elevators.

Air Conditioning & Heating. All air conditioning is by the ‘split’ system, or individual room air conditioners. Very few if any apartments have central air conditioning. Split air conditioners can be delicate and if left on too long, or run too cold, can freeze up and malfunction. Many split air conditioners also serve as heaters in the winter, but not all.Many apartments have centralized heating systems which operate by heating the apartment floor. A central boiler is most often located in the apartment building basement which sends hot water thru the building floors. Usually each individual apartment will have a valve to regulate the amount of hot water that circulates thru the apartment floor. But, this valve is not a traditional thermostat control. These central heating systems are turned on and off by the building supervisor during the winter, or during cold spells.

Building Supervisor. The building supervisor, or encargado, is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the building’s common area and front sidewalk. The building supervisor is a unionized worker, most often wearing a light brown uniform. Some building supervisor’s also monitor the main entrance door and lobby during the late afternoon. The building supervisor lives in the apartment building, usually in an apartment on the roof, or ground floor. All apartment buildings have a building supervisor.

Security Guard. The security guard is most often contracted thru a security company and provides 24/7 or evening only coverage and is stationed in the apartment building’s lobby. Security guards are required to ask for photo identification or anybody entering the apartment building that is not a resident or temporary renter. Not all apartment buildings have security guards.

Building Rules & Regulations. All Buenos Aires apartment buildings have written rules and regulations that govern the use, occupancy, noise and trash service that residents must follow. Failure to obey these regulations may be grounds for termination of the temporary apartment rental contract. These rules and regulations are usually included in the rental contract.

I have more questions… where / when / how can I reach you?

We aim to please, and are here to help out in any way we can. Feel free to contact us if you have any doubts or questions about anything – ie transportation, areas of town, dining and nightlife, tours, or anything else you can think of!

We’ll be happy to provide an answer for you ASAP; and, if we don’t have an answer, we’ll find it for you!